Downtown office market breaks new records

Even with another million square foot (msf) office tower coming to market in the first quarter of 2016, vacancy refuses to budge in downtown Toronto, and remains at a two-year record-low 4.6%, where it’s now sat for the past three quarters, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Q1-2016 stats released today.

Tight vacancy and remarkable expansionary momentum underscores the continuing powerful attraction of the downtown market as a place for a diverse range of businesses to locate and grow. This in turn has sustained a transformative development cycle that began in 2009 and seven years later shows no signs of letting up. Canada’s largest office market continues to blaze trails, far exceeding the performance of other central markets, including Vancouver. What gives?

Key Q1 2016 Facts:

• 4.6%: Downtown Toronto overall office vacancy
• 5.6%-1.8%: Downtown South submarket, home to most new towers, y-o-y overall vacancy plunges
• 422,000 sf: Downtown first quarter total absorption
• 1 msf+ added by the new Bay Adelaide Centre, East Tower (72% pre-leased)

Explosive Growth in Perspective

• 72 msf: Total Downtown Toronto office inventory
• 8.3 msf: Total office space added since 2009
• 32.1%: percentage of downtown growth by 2019 – one of the largest build cycles in Toronto’s history

“This is a feel good story that just keeps on giving,” said Stuart Barron, National Director of Research, Canadian Markets, Cushman & Wakefield. “At different points since 2009, we’ve predicted higher vacancy against increasing supply, but those concerns have simply failed to materialize. Vacancy remains at a low-water mark — and we’re seeing strong interest across the board for new and older buildings from tenants of all sizes.”

As central Canada gains economic traction due to increasing U.S. demand, the low-dollar value and the sustained low-interest-rate environment, Barron says the conditions “look good” for further growth.

Source: Hot Downtown Toronto Office Market Breaks New Records